After the lessons I went to the school exit and there I met Ecate who was waiting for me. I felt a kind of admiration, almost suggestion in being next to her. She was so beautiful but most of all she was immediately kind and helpful with me. The last time I saw her she was surrounded by many friends and a myriad of guys. She reminded me a little of Marika, only she was much better and more sensitive.
"Hey are you ready to go to my house?"
"Yes and ... thanks again for the invitation."
"Imagine it's a pleasure for me, you're Marika's sister, aren't you?"
I was frozen. How did she know? None of their group knew about it.
"Er ... yes."
"Why so heartbroken?"
"Let's say you don't want them to know around."
"And why? What nonsense. You look like a good girl ... "
"That's the point ... she's afraid I'll make her look bad."
"No offense but I never liked your sister but unfortunately I have to put up with her because every now and then she goes out with Ares."
He said rolling his eyes. Ares. Because that name made my heart leap every time.
"She thinks she is the queen of the universe, then when she pimpes with me to get to Ares it makes me feel nervous that I ..."
He stopped abruptly and I noticed her irises turning slightly red, then returning to their glacial blue.
"Everything good?"
"Yes yes er... how are you in class? The transition to the three-year period must have been difficult. "
"Yes enough but I'm used to it."
"Well congratulations, it took me all year."
We both burst out laughing. At that moment I understood why she was always surrounded by friends, her charisma was not given only by her extraordinary beauty but also by her innate sympathy. I was really happy with her. Maybe we could have become friends.
"Here we are."
"Wow."
"You like?"
"Jokes? It's breathtaking. "
I was literally speechless. It was something unique. It was a three-story villa, with a boundless garden dotted with many colorful flowers but the interior was sublime: with a flight of stairs leading to the upper floors, everything was in white Carrara marble and the corridor was adorned with statues.
"Hello Ecate, who is your friend?"
A beautiful woman came down the stairs, she was really similar to Ecate, tall, slender, confident, she went down the steps with great grace and lightness, as if she were flying.
"Hi mom, this is Selene, a schoolmate with whom I have to organize the Carnival parade, can you stay for lunch?"
"But of course, the table is already set."
He led me to the dining room. There he was. Hard. Cold. Impassive.
"Oh hello Ares, this is Selene a gir..."
"Yes, I've already had ... how to say ... a meeting."
I blushed and lowered my head, while Ecade looked at me questioningly. We had lunch in silence, suddenly we heard the doorbell ring and Ares went to open the door. We headed upstairs when I saw Ares talking to a curly girl. I felt a surge of anger rise, why? Was I falling in love?
"Please come in."
His room was twice mine, a beautiful electric blue.
"She's gorgeous."
"Thanks but we have to write down some ideas for the show. I had in mind the Venetian masks of the 1700s. They are really beautiful. "
"Yes it's a great idea ..."
"Anyway, that wasn't his girlfriend."
"Thing?"
"Oh I know I was asking you."
"How did you ..."
"Well long story. Listen, I like you, I don't want you to feel bad but my brother ... "
"Yes I know. I can drink?"
"Of course I'll go get you some water right away."
"No, don't worry, I'll go without bothering you. Just tell me where the kitchen is. "
"Third room on the right."
I thanked her and I went to get water when a voice freezes me.
"Do you want to fall on me again?"
"I-I'm sorry about last morning. I didn't do it on purpose, they pushed me. "
"Yes they all say so. You could have at least been more original. "
"Actually I ..."
"Ares, don't be naughty with the girl."
"Yes mom."
He answered rolling his eyes. He left and I stood there, impaled, embarrassed by the words he spoke.
"I'm sorry if it bothered you, my son always does this and doesn't listen to anyone."
"Don't worry, lady ..."
"Rivers, Medea Rivers but you can just call me Medea."
"Thanks Medea."
"Did you want something?"
"Yes, a glass of water."
"Well, make yourself at home."
"Thank you very much la... Medea."
I joined Ecate in the room who was drawing the masks to be made. She was really good. He was a natural talent. We talked all afternoon and I had a really good time with her. She didn't treat me badly but kindly, sweetly, like a true friend. When it was evening I had to go home even if reluctantly, I wanted to stay with her mainly because she insisted on wanting me for dinner but unfortunately my parents had told me to go home. There I met an angry Marika who was about to speak but I passed her indifferently, leaving her blown away. Certainly she was jealous that I had gone to Ares' house. Going up to the room she begins to look for some ideas for the fashion show. I don't know why but I absolutely wanted to help Ecade, I felt her so close, I felt the need to help her. Just then Rebecca wrote me, if you were going to go out with them after school, I accepted not very enthusiastic.
On my way to class the next morning, I heard a familiar voice calling me.
"Hey Selene."
"Hi Ecate."
I approached hesitantly, scared that they might make fun of me. Instead she immediately welcomed me warmly, hugging me with affection.
"Any new ideas?"
"Someone."
"Perfect. Are you coming to my house after class? "
"Sure."
I stopped for a while to talk to her and her friends. Needless to say, Marika pretended I didn't exist. Ares, on the other hand, was less cold than the other times and I must say that I was very pleased. In my opinion, that coldness that he gives others to see is a kind of impenetrable shield, which does not allow anyone to enter. Maybe he's afraid of suffering, just like me. After all, we are not very different, we keep people away because we are afraid of being hurt but what if we keep the right person away from us too?